B'nai Israel Congregation in Pittsburgh's East End was chartered in 1911. After outgrowing various rented facilities in the early 1920's, the congregation built a sanctuary at 327 Negley Avenue. Growth of the congregation continued until it peaked in the 1950's and then began to decline in the 1970's, as the Jewish population moved into and then from the area. In the 1990s, the congregation merged with Beth Jacob of New Kensington to found Adat Shalom Congregation in Fox Chapel. B'nai Israel formally closed on June 30, 1995. The B'nai Israel Congregation records relate to the many aspects of congregational activities including those of administration, board, cemetery, education, ritual, as well as the Men's Club and the Sisterhood. The materials include accounting materials, correspondence, burial permits, invitations and fliers, minutes, correspondence, religious school records, scrapbooks, circumcision and bar and bat mitzvah records.

Funding for this project was made available by the Simon Hafner Charitable Foundation.

Date Published:

April 2008

Author:

The guide to this collection was written by Jennifer Bator.

Encoder:

Encoded by Matt Strauss on April 15th, 2008 from an existing finding aid. Revisions made by Theresa E. Rea on April 16, 2010, with generous support from PNC Charitable Trusts- J. Samuel and Rose Y. Cox Foundation and the Giant Eagle Foundation.

Historical Sketch

When Jews moved into the neighborhoods of Stanton Heights, Highland Park, and East Liberty in the East End area of Pittsburgh, groups began holding religious services in homes. In 1911, one such group was chartered as B'nai Israel Congregation.

As membership increased, the congregation moved into various rented facilities. In 1920, the congregation moved into a mansion on Highland Avenue, which held the offices, library, classrooms and meeting rooms. Sabbath services were held in a building on Collins Avenue, and larger events, such as High Holiday services and weddings, were held in the Pershing Theatre or in the Rittenhouse Ballroom on Highland Avenue. Throughout this early period, members of the congregation raised funds to acquire a permanent building.

In 1920, the congregation purchased land with two existing structures at 327 North Negley Avenue. Ground was broken for the construction of the sanctuary, in 1922. The building was designed by Henry Hornbostel, Alexander Sharove, and Philip Friedman in a Byzantine style. Prior to construction, the congregation used the two existing buildings on this land as gathering places and offices. A building, called “the barn,” was used as a social hall; and a building behind the main sanctuary, referred to as “the mansion,” housed a chapel, offices and classrooms. Although the construction was not yet complete, the sanctuary was first used for High Holiday services in 1924.

Initially, members followed Orthodox customs. Rabbi Benjamin Lichter was hired as the congregation's rabbi in 1920. Under his leadership, the congregation affiliated with the Conservative movement, and, in 1922, joined the United Synagogue of America. Preferring to follow Orthodox traditions, some members withdrew from B'nai Israel and established Adath Jeshurun Congregation in the same neighborhood.

During the 1930s and 1940s, the congregation was affected by the scarcity of resources caused by the Great Depression and World War II. After the war ended, the neighborhoods in the East End area of Pittsburgh experienced a population boom. The resulting increase in membership enabled the congregation to construct an attached building, which was dedicated in 1953. The new center housed classrooms, a chapel, offices and a new social hall.

The congregation's growth in membership peaked in the early 1950s. By the 1970s, growth in membership had all but ceased. After the installation of stained glass windows designed by Jean Jacques Duval, in 1964, the congregation did not undertake any large construction or improvement projects.

In the 1990s, the opportunity arose to merge with another congregation, Beth Jacob of New Kensington, Pennsylvania, and to found Adat Shalom Congregation in Fox Chapel, Pennsylvania. On the weekend of June 30, 1995, the B'nai Israel congregation held a formal closing ceremony at the synagogue.

Five rabbis had served the congregation: Rabbi Benjamin Lichter, Rabbi Seymour Cohen, Rabbi Mordecai Chertoff, Rabbi Jack Shechter, and Rabbi Richard Marcovitz. Rabbi Lichter was hired as head rabbi in 1920, and, in 1956, he was elected to the position of Rabbi Emeritus, which he held until his sudden death in 1963. In 1956, Rabbi Cohen was installed as head rabbi, a position he held until 1961. Rabbi Chertoff replaced Rabbi Cohen and remained with the congregation until 1966. Rabbi Shechter was installed in 1967 and remained with the congregation until 1976. Rabbi Marcovitz was hired by the congregation in 1976 and remained until 1996.

Three cantors served the congregation: Julius Bloom, Mordecai Heiser, and Mordecai Haalman. Hazan Bloom was hired by the congregation in 1924 and served until his death in 1942. Cantor Heiser was hired in 1942 and served until his death in 1989. Cantor Mordecai Haalman served from the 1960s to the 1980s.

Sisterhood

On August 19, 1912, the Ladies Auxiliary of B'nai Israel of East Liberty held their first meeting. Among the organization's first tasks were to make purchases that contributed to the beauty of the rented space. The Ladies Auxiliary formed and ran Sunday and Hebrew school programs, both of which served the East End Jewish community. In 1920, the name was changed from the Ladies Auxiliary to the B'nai Israel Sisterhood, and the group became affiliated with the Women's League of Conservative Judaism.

The women of the Sisterhood were instrumental in raising funds for the congregation's original building fund. After the synagogue building was erected at the Negley Street address, the Holy Ark was donated by the Sisterhood and was dedicated in its honor.

The women of the Sisterhood were involved in community organizations and activities. The B'nai Israel Sisterhood advocated for the development of kosher catering services in the city. The Sisterhood ran an adult education program and managed a gift shop, the proceeds of which were used to fund youth activities and scholarships.

The Sisterhood was a member of the National Women's League of the United Synagogue of America, which later became the Women's League for Conservative Judaism. Members of the Sisterhood served as officers and committee members for this organization.

Education and Youth

The Sisterhood began a Sunday school on September 22, 1920, with 53 students attending the first class. As the congregation grew along with the various East End neighborhoods' Jewish community, more classes were added and the curriculum was expanded. A Hebrew school was formed, and a nursery school began to provide Jewish education for younger children. The education programs were open to the community at large and were not limited to the children of affiliated parents. In the 1980s, the title “The Jewish Learning Center” began to be used as an umbrella term for the educational programs.

In the late 1960s, with the encouragement of Rabbi Jack Schechter, the congregation began a United Synagogue Youth program. United Synagogue Youth is an organization affiliated with the Conservative movement's United Synagogue of America. The youth of B'nai Israel organized events both within their synagogue, and in collaboration with other Pittsburgh chapters. They also participated in regional and national events such as conferences, leadership trainings, and camp.

The Men's Club

With male and female members, the Latovah Society formed in 1916 as a social and charitable organization. In 1929, male members of the Latovah society founded a Men's Club. The Men's Club was a member of the National Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs.

The Men's Club organized educational and social events. Throughout the club's existence, adult and youth education was a priority. Members organized a Sunday minyan club, which consisted of a weekly breakfast, a religious service and a discussion of Jewish affairs for boys of bar mitzvah age. The Men's Club also established a Scouting program in 1925 by organizing a Cub Pack and a Boy Scout Troop. As part of the adult education program, the men organized such events as a monthly discussion luncheon and weekly breakfast meetings.

Members of the Men's Club were active in raising funds for each of the building projects and for furnishing the congregation's community center.

Cemetery

The cemetery was founded in 1921 in Penn Township. It was administered through its own volunteer led board. The chapel was built on the property through a contribution made by J.A. Williams in his parents' memory.

Young People's Division

The Young People's division was begun in the early 1950s for members aged 21 to 33 years. It was developed to serve the younger families moving into the East End neighborhoods and to encourage and support Jewish practice. This division offered a reduced membership fee and organized social events. All of the officer positions were held by couples.

Collection Scope and Content Note

The records are composed of 40.25 linear feet and are housed in 51 boxes. The papers are arranged into eight series, and sub-series were created for two of these series. Series have been designated for management, board, bulletins, cemetery, education and youth, the Men's Club, and the Sisterhood. The materials include accounting materials, such as receipts and invoices, and ledgers; burial permits, invitations and fliers, minutes, correspondence, school curriculum, scrapbooks, circumcision and bar and bas mitzvah records.

Series I: Management

The documents pertaining to the maintenance and functioning of the congregation are in this series. This series has been divided into two sub-series: administration and accounting. For each sub-series, the materials have been arranged alphabetically into subject categories. Within the alphabetized categories, the folders are arranged chronologically.

The administration sub-series consists of thirteen boxes, five shelf volumes. The sub-series includes correspondence, applications, ledgers, press releases, invitations and fliers, seating arrangements, and a scrapbook of clippings.

The alumni association category includes information about events, a newsletter, and press clippings. These materials were originally in a scrapbook format.

The building category includes materials related to the administration and planning for various building projects, as well as descriptions of the architectural elements, and the administration of the building fund.

The committees category includes meeting announcements, correspondence, and membership lists from the various committees within the congregation.

The community affiliations category consists primarily of correspondence between the congregation and both local and national organizations.

The correspondence category is divided: general, the clergy, and condolences.

The adult education category includes brochures, correspondence, and materials related to the planning of events and classes.

The employee category includes applications, contracts, and hiring records.

The library category includes correspondence. While most letters refer to donations made by congregants, some correspondence refers to library maintenance and events.

The life-cycle events category is further sub-divided into categories for baby naming, circumcision, conversions, obituaries, weddings and yahrzeits, and yizkor. The materials include ledgers, correspondence, wedding applications, obituaries, and published materials. The baby naming and the circumcision records are arranged alphabetically by last name. The wedding records include applications and correspondence and are arranged in ascending chronological order by year. The congregation created several ledger systems for organizing yahrzeit contact information. The original organizational system has been maintained. The ledgers are variously arranged in an alphabetized listing by last name of the deceased, by week, by death date, by contact person and by Hebrew month. The yahrzeit category also includes correspondence with congregants. The yizkor books are arranged chronologically by year.

The membership category includes correspondence, applications, and cancellations, completed census questionnaires, and general information about membership.

The memorial plaques category includes a ledger, correspondence, and locations of names on plaques, as well as plate orders. This section has information concerning dates of death.

The publicity and press releases category includes all of the correspondence and press releases created by the congregation. This includes notices for events, classes, weddings, and bar and bat mitzvahs.

The resolution category includes resolutions that were created by the congregation to mark the death of members.

The scrapbook category contains a scrapbook of news clippings.

The services category contains general information, prayers, and planning for various holidays and special Sabbath services.

The special events category includes fliers, seating charts, reservations, correspondence, tribute books and invitations for occasions sponsored by the congregation. This category includes materials marking the anniversaries of the congregation as well the special occasions of members of the clergy, and congregants. There is material dating from the opening celebration of the community center. It also includes the speeches given at the synagogue's closing weekend.

The materials in the young adult division category pertain to managing this group and include correspondence, event fliers, calendars, and their newsletter.

The accounting sub-series consists of 12 linear feet of materials and is housed in 12 boxes. The materials are divided between income and expenses and are arranged first alphabetically by subject, and then within each subject by ascending chronological order. This series is comprised of ledgers, invoices, payment receipts, budgets and financial statements.

Series II: Board of Directors (1919-1999)

This series consists of two linear feet and contains correspondence, board and executive board agendas and minutes; by-laws, constitutions and the annual reports and minutes of the congregational annual meetings. The bulk of the materials consists of the minutes for meetings of the board and executive board.

Series III: Bulletins (1968-1995)

This series consists of one half linear foot. The bulletins were produced by the congregation for use at services. This series is arranged in ascending chronological order.

Series IV: Cemetery (1921-1989)

The cemetery series consists of three linear feet and is housed in six boxes, and two shelf volumes. It is divided into two main categories: maintenance and plot owners.

The maintenance category contains materials related to the oversight of the cemetery. The materials include financial documents, correspondence and employee information. Although a committee oversaw the cemetery, there are no materials present in the collection created by the committee.

The plot owners category consists of materials related to the cemetery's administrative interactions with and on the behalf of the owners of individual plots. The materials include burial permits, grave maintenance, account payments, and sales, as well as invoices for individual monuments, perpetual care and for burial vaults. There are several ledgers documenting the location and ownership of plots.

Series V: Education and Youth (1929-1994, bulk 1950-1980)

The education and youth series consists of five linear feet and is contained in 14 boxes. This series is arranged into four sub-series: life cycle events, education, United Synagogue Youth and youth department. The materials are arranged alphabetically by subject and within that arrangement, are arranged in ascending chronological order. With the exception of the United Synagogue Youth sub-series, there are no financial materials included in this series. The financial materials for the life cycle events, and the Jewish Learning Center are organized with the congregational accounting materials.

Series V: Education and youth, Sub-series I: Life Cycle Events

The life cycle events sub-series consists of materials regarding bar and bat mitzvahs, and confirmation. The materials for bar and bat mitzvahs were divided into separate categories, however the category begins with general undated information such as prayers, addresses and procedures relating to both bar and bat mitzvahs. The bar mitzvah materials include notices for Torah honors, prayers, and preparation schedules. The bat mitzvah materials include prayers and preparation schedules. The confirmation category includes lists of confirmands, general information, and the programs for the confirmation service.

Series V: Education and youth, Sub-series II: Education

The education sub-series includes all materials related to the congregation's religious schools: Hebrew, nursery, and Sunday schools. The sub-series includes materials created for general administration, and by the faculty. The materials that date from the period of the Jewish Learning Center are enrollment lists and general activities.

The United Synagogue Youth sub-series consists of one linear foot. The materials consist of activity fliers, meeting minutes, publications, and conference planning. The materials relate to activities within the congregation's chapter, with other U.S.Y groups in Pittsburgh and the central region, as well as events planned by the national office. The materials include information about activities and conventions, chapter meeting minutes, and publications.

Series V: Education and youth, Sub-series IV: Youth

The Youth sub-series is one quarter of a linear foot and consists of general activity information as well as materials related to external affiliations.

Series VI: Men's Club (1953-1989, bulk 1953-1969)

The Men's Club series consists of one linear foot and is divided into two main categories: administration and special events. The administration category includes financial statements, correspondence, membership and officer lists. The special events category includes programs, fliers, announcements, and event expenses.

Series VII: Sisterhood (1912-1994, bulk 1942-1979)

The Sisterhood series consists of two and one half linear feet and is divided into four categories: administration, events, board, executive board and membership meetings; and National Women's League of the United Synagogue of America.

The administration category includes financial documents, correspondence, membership and officer lists. Consisting primarily of financial materials, this category contains the materials related to the club's management and financial oversight.

The events category includes invitations, programs and announcements, commemorative anniversary booklets, and curriculum for the Women's Institute of Adult Jewish Studies. The materials primarily consist of event announcements.

The meetings category includes board, executive board and general club meeting minutes; agendas, club by-laws, officer lists and attendance, and reports to the membership and to the congregation. The minutes are of the board and executive board meetings.

The National Women's League category consists of one half linear foot of materials. This category includes clippings, directories, chapter and regional branch minutes, proclamations, and a scrapbook.

The records have been arranged and described by Jennifer Bator in December 2007, with generous support provided by the Simon Hafner Charitable Foundation.

Copyright:

Property rights reside with the Senator John Heinz History Center. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.

Related Material:

The Lawrence Reznick papers, MSS # 477.

The Rosella Skirboll Linder Papers, MFF # 371.

Cantorial Anthology of Traditional and Modern Synagogue, MFF #4921

Separated Material:

One linear foot of photographs has been separately arranged and described as MSP# 470.

Two linear feet of oversized records have been separately arranged and described as MSO # 470.

Papers created by Meyer Levine have been separately arranged and described as MSS # 478.

The following artifacts were transferred to the museum division:

One off-white choir robe with velvet collar

One decorated tallith

One black cantor's robe with velvet trim

All three artifacts were the gift of Linda Levine, July 10, 1998

The following were transferred to the serial collection of the library:

The documents pertaining to the maintenance and functioning of the congregation are in this series. This series has been divided into two sub-series: administration and accounting. For each sub-series, the materials have been arranged alphabetically into subject categories. Within the alphabetized categories, the folders are arranged chronologically.

Subseries
I:

Administration, 1905-2001 (bulk 1953-1986)

Scope and Content Notes:

The administration sub-series consists of thirteen boxes and five shelf volumes. The sub-series includes correspondence, applications, ledgers, press releases, invitations and fliers, seating arrangements, and a scrapbook of clippings.

The alumni association category includes information about events, a newsletter, and press clippings. These materials were originally in a scrapbook format.

The building category includes materials related to the administration and planning for various building projects, as well as descriptions of the architectural elements, and the administration of the building fund.

The committees category includes meeting announcements, correspondence, and membership lists from the various committees within the congregation.

The community affiliations category consists primarily of correspondence between the congregation and both local and national organizations.

The correspondence category is divided: general, the clergy, and condolences.

The adult education category includes brochures, correspondence, and materials related to the planning of events and classes.

The employee category includes applications, contracts, and hiring records.

The library category includes correspondence. While most letters refer to donations made by congregants, some correspondence refers to library maintenance and events.

The life-cycle events category is further sub-divided into categories for baby naming, circumcision, conversions, obituaries, weddings and yahrzeits, and yizkor. The materials include ledgers, correspondence, wedding applications, obituaries, and published materials. The baby naming and the circumcision records are arranged alphabetically by last name. The wedding records include applications and correspondence and are arranged in ascending chronological order by year. The congregation created several ledger systems for organizing yahrzeit contact information. The original organizational system has been maintained. The ledgers are variously arranged in an alphabetized listing by last name of the deceased, by week, by death date, by contact person and by Hebrew month. The yahrzeit category also includes correspondence with congregants. The yizkor books are arranged chronologically by year.

The membership category includes correspondence, applications, and cancellations, completed census questionnaires, and general information about membership.

The memorial plaques category includes a ledger, correspondence, and locations of names on plaques, as well as plate orders. This section has information concerning dates of death.

The publicity and press releases category includes all of the correspondence and press releases created by the congregation. This includes notices for events, classes, weddings, and bar and bat mitzvahs.

The resolution category includes resolutions that were created by the congregation to mark the death of members.

The scrapbook category contains a scrapbook of news clippings.

The services category contains general information, prayers, and planning for various holidays and special Sabbath services.

The special events category includes fliers, seating charts, reservations, correspondence, tribute books and invitations for occasions sponsored by the congregation. This category includes materials marking the anniversaries of the congregation as well the special occasions of members of the clergy, and congregants. There is material dating from the opening celebration of the community center. It also includes the speeches given at the synagogue's closing weekend.

The materials in the young adult division category pertain to managing this group and include correspondence, event fliers, calendars, and their newsletter.

Alumni Association

Box 1

Folder

1

Events, 1938-1940

Folder

2

Member profiles, 1938-1940

Folder

2

Newsletter, 1938-1940

Folder

2

Press clippings, 1938-1940

Building

Folder

5

Architectural elements, 1930-1951, nd

Folder

6

Building fund, 1967, 1973-1975

Community Center

Folder

7

Project, 1948-1956

Folder

8

Specifications, 1948

Folder

9

Stained Glass Windows, 1962-1965, 1971

Committees

Folder

10

1952, 1959-1960

Folder

11

1961

Folder

12

1962

Folder

13

1963-1967

Folder

14

1968-1969

Folder

15

1970-1971

Folder

16

1972-1973

Folder

17

1974-1977

Folder

18

Seventy-fifth Anniversary 1974-1977

Community affiliations

Folder

19

1955-1956, 1960

Folder

20

1961

Box 2

Folder

1

1962

Folder

2

1963-1968

Folder

3

1969-1973

Folder

4

1975

Folder

5

1976-1977

Folder

6

1980-1990

Folder

7

United Jewish Federation calendar 1964-1967

Folder

8

Congregational history 1950, 1993, 1995

Correspondence

General

Folder

9

1942-1968

Folder

10

1969-1972, 1974-1975

Clergy

Folder

11

1942, 1952, 1960-1961

Folder

12

1962

Folder

13

1963

Folder

14

1964-1976

Folder

15

Rabbi Lichter's 50th Anniversary, 1960

Folder

16

Rabbi Stein's admittance into the country, 1928

Condolences

Box 3

Folder

1

1960-1961

Folder

2

1962-1963

Folder

3

1966-1968

Folder

4

1969-1970

Folder

5

1971-1973

Folder

6

1975-1978

Folder

7

Seventy-fifth Anniversary 1979

Adult education

“At Home” institute

Folder

8

1959-1961

Folder

9

1962-1963

Institute of Adult Jewish Studies

Folder

10

1960-1963

Folder

11

1966-1968

Folder

12

1969-1978, 1988

Folder

13

Joint Institute of Adult Studies 1965-1967

Employees

Folder

14

General, 1952-1977

Folder

15

Applications, 1968, 1976-1978

Choir contracts

Folder

16

1960-1963

Folder

17

1966-1970, 1975-1977

Clergy

Box 4

Folder

1

Cantor Contract 1940

Folder

2

Rabbis – Guest, 1961

Folder

3

Rabbis - Rabbi Lichter's contract, 1951

Folder

4

Rabbis - search, 1966

Teacher's contracts

Folder

5

1960-1962, 1970

Library

Folder

6

1960-1962, 1966-1971

Life cycle events

Folder

7

“Book of Life: a directory of Hebrew names and dates”
1958

Baby naming

Folder

8

A – G, 1950-1988

Folder

9

H – P, 1950-1988

Folder

10

R – Z, 1950-1988

Folder

11

1963-1969

Circumcision records

Folder

12

A – I, 1948-1981

Folder

13

J – R, 1948-1981

Folder

14

S – Z, 1948-1981

Volume

1

Ledger, 1905-1942

Folder

15

Conversions 1954, 1955

Obituaries

Folder

16

1960

Weddings

Folder

17

1960-1961

Folder

18

1962, 1964

Folder

19

1965-1966

Folder

20

1967

Folder

21

1968

Folder

22

1969

Box 5

Folder

1

1970

Folder

2

1971

Folder

3

1972-1976, 1990

Yahrzeits

Folder

4

1962, 1967, 1981, 1982, nd

Folder

5

List of names by week, c1950

Folder

6

List by alphabetical last name
, 1963

Box 5A

Box

5A

By contact person 1918 - 1970

Box 5B

Box

5B

A – K, c1918-1983

Box 5C

Box

5C

L – Z, c1918-1983

Folder

7

Kislev to Tishri,
1959

Folder

8

Elul to Nissan,
1959

Folder

9

1959

Folder

10

Yizkor books,
1951-1963, 1965

Membership

Applications – Senior congregation

Folder

11

1955, 1960-1961

Folder

12

1962-1965

Folder

13

1966-1967

Folder

14

1968-1969

Folder

15

1970-1977

Applications – Young adult division

Box 6

Folder

1

1960-1966

Folder

2

Folder 1 of 2, 1967

Folder

3

Folder 2 of 2, 1967

Folder

4

1968

Folder

5

1969

Folder

6

1970

Folder

7

1972-1975

Folder

8

1976-1977, 1984-1985

Cancellations

Folder

9

1966-1967

Folder

10

1968

Folder

11

1969

Folder

12

1970

Folder

13

1971

Folder

14

1975

Folder

15

1976-1977

Census

Folder

16

1969

Box 7

Folder

1

1970-1972, 1985, 1987

Folder

2

Certificate of seat ownership, 1926-1928

Volume

2

Ledger, 1926-1929

Folder

3

General information, 1961, 1969, 1971, 1975, 1989

Folder

4

Lists, 1973-1989

Prospective members

Folder

5

1960-1969

Folder

6

1970, 1973-1976

Folder

7

Synagogue seating, 1963

Memorial plaques

Volume

3

Ledger of names 1932

Correspondence and lists

Folder

8

1940s, 1954-1961

Folder

9

1962-1963

Folder

10

1965-1967

Folder

11

1969-1970

Folder

12

1972-1977

Folder

13

Locations of names, nd

Publicity and press releases

Folder

14

1960-1962

Folder

15

1964-1965

Folder

16

1966-1967

Folder

17

1968

Folder

18

1969-1970

Folder

19

1971-1975

Box 8

Folder

1

1976-1977, 1979, 1988, 1989

Resolutions

Folder

2

1961, 1963, 1966, 1968, nd

Scrapbook - newsclippings

Folder

3

Folder 1 of 2, 1984-1988

Folder

4

Folder 1 of 2, 1984-1988

Services

Folder

5

1947, 1959-1967

Folder

6

1969-1973, 1975-1979, 1981, 1995

Folder

7

nd

High Holy Days

Folder

8

1952, 1960-1961

Folder

9

1962-1963

Folder

10

1964-1965

Folder

11

1966

Folder

12

1967-1969

Folder

13

1970

Folder

14

1972-1975

Folder

15

1976-1982, 1990-1991

Passover Seder

Folder

16

1962

Box 9

Folder

1

1965

Folder

2

1967-1968

Folder

3

1969

Folder

4

1971

Folder

5

1973-1977, 1989

Folder

6

Sabbath: Home-coming 1966-1968

Sabbath and Festival Prayer Book

Volume

4

Volume 3, and 4 1972

Folder

7

Thanksgiving service 1962-1964-65

Special events

Folder

8

1922, 1933, 1946, 1953-1954

Folder

9

folder 1 of 2, 1960

Folder

10

folder 2 of 2, 1960

Folder

11

1961

Folder

12

1962

Folder

13

1966-1969

Folder

14

1970-1973

Folder

15

1974-1976

Folder

16

1977-1978, 1983-1984, 1989, nd

Box 10

Box

10

Anniversary

Folder

1

25th badge, 1929

Folder

2

50th, 1954

Folder

3

75th, 1978-1979

Folder

4

85th (1989), 1966, 1990

Folder

5

85th guest book, 1989

Folder

6

Cantor Heiser's 30th , 1970

Folder

7

Annual meeting reservations and planning, 1960-1977

Folder

8

Closing weekend, 1995-2001

Community center

Folder

9

Dedication journal, 1953

Folder

10

Groundbreaking, 1953

Rabbi Lichter

Volume

5

Gateway dedication volume, 1951

Folder

11

70th birthday, 1956

Folder

12

25th Anniversary, 1935

Folder

12a

Memorial, 1963

Folder

13

Tribute to Max Perilstein, 1956

Folder

14

Young adult division, 1954-1955, 1960-1967

Folder

15

Young adult division, 1968-1971

Folder

16

Young adult division, 1972-1977, nd

Folder

17

Events, 1969-1974

Folder

18

Newsletter, 1968-1976

Subseries
II:

Accounting, 1918-1990, bulk 1955-1980

Scope and Content Notes:

The accounting sub-series consists of 12 linear feet of materials and is housed in 12 boxes. The materials are divided between income and expenses and are arranged first alphabetically by subject, and then within each subject by ascending chronological order. This series is comprised of ledgers, invoices, payment receipts, budgets and financial statements.

Folder

19

Bank accounts, 1940-1959

Folder

20

Bank accounts, 1960-1969

Folder

21

Bank accounts, 1971-1989

Folder

22

Budgets, 1952-1954, 1958-1959

Box 11

Folder

1

Budgets, 1960-1963

Folder

2

Budgets, 1964-1966

Folder

3

Budgets, 1967-1969

Folder

4

Budgets, 1970-1973

Volume

6

Building fund-Receipts and disbursements, 1945-1956

Folder

5

Building fund, 1950-1958

Volume

7

Building fund-Receipts and disbursements, 1958-1973

Folder

6

Building fund-Community Center ledger, 1953-1955

Folder

7

Building fund, 1960–1963

Folder

8

Building fund, 1964-1967

Folder

9

Building fund, 1968

Folder

10

Building fund, 1969

Folder

11

Building fund, 1970-1971

Folder

12

Building fund, 1972-1973

Folder

13

Building fund, 1975-1977

Folder

14

Building fund, 1982-1984, 1988

Folder

15

Catering, 1960-1968

Folder

14

Catering, 1960-1968

Folder

16

Catering (Folder 1 of 2), 1969

Box 12

Folder

1

Catering (Folder 2 of 2), 1969

Folder

2

Catering, 1971-1972, 1976-1980, 1989

Volume

8

Catering - Accounts ledger, 1972-1977

Folder

3

Confirmation, 1960-1965

Folder

4

Confirmation, 1968, 1970-1977

Folder

5

Financial Reports, 1922-1931, 1953-1955

Folder

6

Financial Reports, 1960-1963

Folder

7

Financial Reports, 1966-1970, 1972,1973

Folder

8

Financial Reports, 1975-1977, 1982-1983

Folder

8

Financial Reports, 1975-1977, 1982-1983

Folder

9

General ledger, 1941-1949

Folder

10

Library Fund, 1960-1963, 1966, 1968-1971

Folder

11

Memorial Fund – Rabbi Lichter (Folder 1 of 2), 1963

Folder

12

Memorial Fund – Rabbi Lichter (Folder 2 of 2), 1963

Folder

13

Memorial Fund – Rabbi Lichter, 1963-1964

Folder

14

Special events , 1954, 1960-1978

Expenses

Folder

15

Clergy, 1960-1963

Folder

16

Clergy, 1964-1967

Box 13

Folder

1

Clergy, 1964-1967

Folder

2

Clergy, 1970-1973

Folder

3

Clergy, 1974-1977

Folder

4

Community affiliations, 1963-1964

Folder

4

Community affiliations, 1963-1964

Folder

5

Community affiliations, 1965-1966

Folder

6

Community affiliations, 1967- 1969

Folder

7

Community affiliations, 1970-1973, 1975-1977, 1989-1990

Folder

8

Construction of Community Center, 1951-1952

Folder

9

External Charities, 1960-1961

Folder

10

External Charities, 1962-1964

Folder

11

External Charities, 1965-1966

Folder

12

External Charities, 1967-1968

Folder

13

External Charities, 1969-1971

Box 14

Folder

1

External Charities, 1971-1973

Folder

2

External Charities, 1974-1976

Invoices

Folder

3

Book purchases, subscriptions, 1960-1961

Folder

4

Book purchases, subscriptions, 1962-1965

Folder

5

Book purchases, subscriptions, 1966-1968

Folder

6

Book purchases, subscriptions, 1969-1974

Folder

7

Book purchases, subscriptions, 1975-1976, 1987-1990

Folder

8

Building maintenance, 1952, 1954-1956

Folder

9

Building maintenance, 1960–1961

Folder

10

Building maintenance, 1962-1963

Folder

11

Building maintenance, 1964-1965

Folder

12

Building maintenance, 1966-1967

Folder

13

Building maintenance, 1968

Folder

14

Building maintenance, 1969-1970

Folder

15

Building maintenance, 1971-1974

Folder

16

Building maintenance, 1975-1977

Folder

17

Building maintenance, 1978-1980, 1986-1989

Education

Folder

18

Adult education, 1960, 1967-1969

Folder

19

Adult education, 1970-1974

Box 15

Folder

1

Adult education, 1975

Folder

2

Religious schools, 1960-1961

Folder

3

Religious schools, 1962-1963

Folder

4

Religious schools, 1964-1966

Folder

5

Religious schools, 1967

Folder

6

Religious schools, 1968

Folder

7

Religious schools, 1969

Folder

8

Religious schools, 1970

Folder

9

Religious schools, 1971

Folder

10

Religious schools, 1972

Folder

11

Religious schools, 1973

Folder

12

Religious schools, 1975

Folder

13

Religious schools, 1976-1977

Box 16

Folder

1

General expenses, 1960-1964

Folder

2

General expenses, 1965-1968

Folder

3

General expenses, 1969-1971

Folder

4

General expenses, 1972-1973, 1975-1977

Folder

5

Insurance, 1952-1961

Folder

6

Insurance, 1963-1964

Folder

7

Insurance, 1965-1966

Folder

8

Insurance, 1967

Folder

9

Insurance, 1969-1971

Folder

10

Insurance, 1972-1977, 1984-1989

Folder

11

Library, 1962-1963, 1966-1967, 1970

Folder

12

Office functions, 1956, 1960

Folder

13

Office functions, 1961

Folder

14

Office functions, 1962

Box 17

Folder

1

Office functions, 1963

Folder

2

Office functions, 1964

Folder

3

Office functions, 1965

Folder

4

Office functions, 1966

Folder

5

Office functions, 1967

Folder

6

Office functions(Folder 1 of 2), 1968

Folder

7

Office functions (Folder 2 of 2), 1968

Folder

8

Office functions, 1969

Folder

9

Office functions, 1970

Folder

10

Office functions, 1971

Folder

11

Office functions, 1972

Folder

12

Office functions, 1973

Folder

13

Office functions, 1975-1976

Folder

14

Office functions, 1977, 1989

Folder

15

Utilities, 1961, 1966, 1969, 1973, 1976

Folder

16

Payroll, 1960-1961

Box 18

Folder

1

Payroll, 1962-1964

Folder

2

Payroll, 1965-1967

Folder

3

Payroll (Folder 1 of 2), 1968

Folder

4

Payroll (Folder 2 of 2), 1968

Folder

5

Payroll , 1969

Folder

6

Payroll, 1970

Folder

7

Payroll, 1971

Folder

8

Payroll, 1972

Folder

9

Payroll, 1973

Folder

10

Ledger, 1972-1974

Folder

11

Payroll, 1975-1977

Folder

12

Catering ledger, 1972-1973

Folder

13

Choir, 1952, 1960-63

Folder

14

Choir, 1966-67

Folder

15

Choir, 1968

Box 19

Folder

1

Choir, 1969-1970

Folder

2

Choir, 1971-1973, 1976-1977

Folder

3

Receipts ledger of checks, 1945-1953

Services

Folder

4

High Holidays, 1960-1967

Folder

5

High Holidays, 1968-1970

Folder

6

High Holidays, 1971-1973, 1975-1976

Folder

7

Passover Seder, 1964

Folder

8

Passover Seder, 1966

Folder

9

Passover Seder, 1967, 1969, 1977

Folder

10

Purim, 1976

Folder

11

Taxes – city, state and federal, 1960-1962

Folder

12

Taxes – city, state and federal, 1963-1966

Folder

13

Taxes – city, state and federal, 1967

Folder

14

Taxes – city, state and federal, 1968

Folder

15

Taxes – city, state and federal, 1970

Folder

16

Taxes – city, state and federal, 1971-1973

Folder

17

Taxes – city, state and federal, 1975

Folder

18

Taxes – city, state and federal, 1976-1977

Box 20

Folder

1

Youth Activities, 1967, 1976-1977

Folder

2

Camp Funds, 1968-1975

Folder

3

Camp Funds, 1976

Folder

4

Camp Funds, 1977

Income

Folder

5

Donations and pledges, 1918, 1924, 1945-1956

Folder

6

Donations and pledges, 1960

Folder

7

Donations and pledges, 1961

Folder

8

Donations and pledges, 1962-1964

Folder

9

Donations and pledges, 1965-1966

Folder

10

Donations and pledges, 1967

Folder

11

Donations and pledges, 1968

Folder

12

Donations and pledges, 1969

Folder

13

Donations and pledges, 1970-1971

Folder

14

Donations and pledges, 1972-1973

Folder

15

Donations and pledges, 1974-1977, 1983, 1985-1989

Folder

16

Youth ledger, 1974-1977, 1983, 1985-1989

Life cycle events

Folder

17

Bar Mitzvah 1961-1963

Box 21

Folder

1

Bar Mitzvah, 1966-1969

Folder

2

Bar Mitzvah, 1970-1977

Folder

3

Weddings, 1961-1965

Folder

4

Weddings, 1966-1969

Folder

5

Weddings, 1970-1977

Folder

6

Member accounts (Ledger), 1951-1955

Folder

7

Member accounts, 1946, 1960

Folder

8

Member accounts, 1961

Folder

9

Member accounts, 1962

Folder

11

Member accounts, 1964-1965

Folder

12

Member accounts, 1966

Folder

13

Member accounts, 1967-1968

Folder

14

Member accounts, 1969-1971

Folder

15

Member accounts, 1972-1973

Folder

16

Member accounts, 1975-1977

Box 22

Folder

1

Tuition accounts, 1972-1973

Folder

2

Dues Adjustments, 1966

Folder

3

Dues Adjustments, 1967

Folder

4

Dues Adjustments (Folder 1 of 2 ), 1968

Folder

5

Dues Adjustments (Folder 2 of 2), 1968

Folder

6

Dues Adjustments (Folder 1 of 2 ), 1969

Folder

7

Dues Adjustments (Folder 2 of 2 ), 1969

Folder

8

Dues Adjustments (Folder 1 of 2 ), 1970

Folder

9

Dues Adjustments (Folder 2 of 2 ), 1970

Folder

10

Dues Adjustments, 1971

Folder

11

Dues Adjustments, 1972

Folder

12

Dues Adjustments, 1975

Folder

13

Dues Adjustments, 1976-1977

Folder

14

Memorial Plaques, 1954, 1960-1963

Folder

15

Memorial Plaques, 1964-1968

Box 23

Folder

1

Memorial Plaques, 1969-1971

Folder

2

Memorial Plaques, 1972-1977, 1985

Folder

3

Memorial plaque ledger (A-G), c 1920-1960

Folder

4

Memorial plaque ledger (H-P), c 1920-1960

Folder

5

Memorial plaque ledger (Q-Z), c 1920-1960

Volume

9

Memorial plaque ledger, 1931-1949

Series
II:

Board of Directors, 1919-1999

Scope and Content Notes:

This series consists of two linear feet and contains correspondence, board and executive board agendas and minutes; by-laws, constitutions and the annual reports and minutes of the congregational annual meetings. The bulk of the materials consists of the minutes for meetings of the board and executive board.

Annual meeting

Folder

6

1942 - 1946

Folder

7

1947 - 1952

Folder

8

1953 - 1956

Folder

9

1957

Folder

10

1958 - 1959

Folder

11

1960 - 1961

Folder

12

1962 - 1964

Folder

13

1965 - 1967

Folder

14

1968 – 1976

Box 24

Folder

1

1968 – 1976

Annual reports

Folder

2

1946 - 1959

Folder

3

1960 – 1963, 1965 – 1968

Folder

4

1970 – 1973

Folder

5

1988, 1994-1996

Folder

6

Correspondence and membership lists, 1962-1977

Folder

7

Constitution, and by-laws, 1954-1962, 1993

Folder

8

By-laws of Young Adult Congregation, 1954

Folder

9

Endowment fund, 1998-1999

Folder

10

Resolution and contract for property sale, 2001

Meeting Minutes

Board Meetings

Folder

11

Attendance and membership, 1969-1977, nd

Volume

10

Minutes and congregational, 1969-1977, nd

business, 1919

Folder

12

1919-1924

Folder

13

1925-1929

Folder

14

1930-1932

Folder

15

1933-1935

Folder

16

1936-1937

Folder

17

1938-1940

Folder

18

1942-1943

Folder

19

1944-1945

Folder

20

1946-1951

Folder

21

1952-1955

Folder

22

1957-1960

Folder

23

1961-1963

Folder

24

1964-1965

Folder

25

1966-1967

Folder

26

1968-1969

Box 25

Folder

1

1970-1972

Folder

2

1973-1983

Folder

3

1994-1996

Executive Committee

Folder

4

Attendance and membership, 1962-1969

Folder

5

1951-1959

Folder

6

1960-1978

Series
III:

Bulletins, 1968-1995

Scope and Content Notes:

This series consists of one half linear foot. The bulletins were produced by the congregation for use at services. This series is arranged in ascending chronological order.

Sabbath Service

Folder

7

1968-1970, 1972, 1975

Folder

8

1976

Folder

9

1977

Folder

10

1978

Folder

11

1979

Folder

12

1980

Folder

13

1981

Folder

14

1982-1983

Folder

15

1984

Folder

16

1985

Folder

17

1986, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1995

Folder

18

Sisterhood Sabbath, 1973-1978

Folder

19

Young Adult Congregation, 1969-1986

Folder

20

Youth Service, 1970, 1977-1993

Series
IV:

Cemetery, 1921-1989

Scope and Content Notes:

The cemetery series consists of three linear feet and is housed in six boxes and two shelf volumes. It is divided into two main categories: maintenance and plot owners.

The maintenance category contains materials related to the oversight of the cemetery. The materials include financial documents, correspondence and employee information. Although a committee oversaw the cemetery, there are no materials present in the collection created by the committee.

The plot owners category consists of materials related to the cemetery's administrative interactions with and on the behalf of the owners of individual plots. The materials include burial permits, grave maintenance, account payments, and sales, as well as invoices for individual monuments, perpetual care and for burial vaults. There are several ledgers documenting the location and ownership of plots.

Administration and maintenance

Box 26

Folder

1

Administrative correspondence, 1956-1968

Folder

2

Bank account statements, 1951-1970

Folder

3

Employees, 1959-1969

Folder

4

Executive committee funds proposal, 1961

Folder

5

Financial statements, 1957-1968

Folder

6

Insurance, 1949-1970

Invoices

Folder

7

Administrative, 1950-1970

Grounds-keeping and maintenance

Folder

8

Folder 1 of 2, 1951-1959

Folder

9

Folder 2 of 2, 1960-1970

Folder

10

Monthly trial balance, 1964-1967

Folder

11

Property, 1957-1965

Folder

12

Taxes – city, state and federal, 1945, 1951-1970

Plot owners

Accounting

Account payments and invoices

Folder

13

Folder 1 of 2 , 1930-1956

Folder

14

Folder 2 of 2 , 1930-1956

Folder

15

Accounts receivable - ledger sheets, 1964

Folder

16

Account Transactions, 1960-1971

Burial vault invoices

Folder

17

1951-1959

Folder

18

1960-1970

Folder

19

Care of plots, 1947-1967, 1971

Folder

20

Grave maintenance receipt books, 1948, 1955

Folder

21

Interments, 1950-1970

Ledger, 1923-1945

Folder

22

Overview

Folder

23

A – B

Folder

24

C – F

Box 27

Folder

1

G – H

Folder

2

I – L

Folder

3

M – R

Folder

4

S

Folder

5

T – Z

Ledger, 1946-1964

Folder

6

A – B

Folder

7

C – E

Folder

8

F – G

Box 28

Folder

1

H – K

Folder

2

L – M

Folder

3

Mc – R

Folder

4

S

Folder

5

T – Z

Folder

6

Monuments, 1960-1964

Folder

7

Perpetual care, 1948, 1953-1959

Plot invoices

Folder

8

1955-1958

Box 29

Folder

1

1959-1962

Volume

11

Sales and receipts 1972-1977

Folder

2

Assignments – section and lot nd

Burial permits

Folder

3

1937-1947

Folder

4

1949-1960

Folder

5

1961-1964

Folder

6

1965-1969

Folder

7

General information, 1970-1978, 1989

Folder

8

Grave borders, 1951-1957, 1969

Folder

8

Grave borders, 1951-1957, 1969

Folder

9

Interments and lot owners, nd

Folder

10

Memorial services, 1945-1969

Volume

12

Plot assignments, 1962

Volume

13

Record of interments, 1921-1968

Series
V:

Education and youth, 1929-1994,(bulk 1950-1980)

Scope and Content Notes:

The education and youth series consists of five linear feet and is contained in 14 boxes. This series is arranged into four sub-series: life cycle events, education, United Synagogue Youth and youth department. The materials are arranged alphabetically by subject and within that arrangement, are arranged in ascending chronological order. With the exception of the United Synagogue Youth sub-series, there are no financial materials included in this series. The financial materials for the life cycle events, and the Jewish Learning Center are organized with the congregational accounting materials.

Subseries
I:

Life Cycle Events

Scope and Content Notes:

The life cycle events sub-series consists of materials regarding bar and bat mitzvahs, and confirmation. The materials for bar and bat mitzvahs were divided into separate categories, however the category begins with general undated information such as prayers, addresses and procedures relating to both bar and bat mitzvahs. The bar mitzvah materials include notices for Torah honors, prayers, and preparation schedules. The bat mitzvah materials include prayers and preparation schedules. The confirmation category includes lists of confirmands, general information, and the programs for the confirmation service.

Bar and Bat Mitzvah

Box 30

Folder

1

Addresses, nd

Folder

2

Prayers, nd

Folder

3

Procedures and requirements, 1962-1963, nd

Bar Mitzvah

Folder

4

Aliyot, 1966-1967

Folder

5

Aliyot, 1968-1969

Folder

6

Aliyot, 1976-1977

Folder

7

Prayers, 1963

Folder

8

Preparation schedule, 1960-1966

Folder

9

Preparation schedule , 1967-1987

Bat Mitzvah

Folder

10

Prayers, 1963

Box 31

Folder

1

Preparation schedule, 1955, 1962-1967

Folder

2

Preparation schedule, 1968-1974

Confirmation

Folder

3

1952-1956, 1959-1967, 1972-1977

Folder

4

Class file cards, 1963, 1965

Folder

5

Class lists for reunion, 1948-1967

Folder

6

Confirmation services, 1939-1993

Yearbooks

Folder

7

1957-1966

Folder

8

1967-1979

Subseries
II:

Education

Scope and Content Notes:

The education sub-series includes all materials related to the congregation's religious schools: Hebrew, nursery, and Sunday schools. The sub-series includes materials created for general administration, and by the faculty. The materials that date from the period of the Jewish Learning Center are enrollment lists and general activities.

Administration

Folder

9

Correspondence with parents, 1967, 1979-1993

Folder

10

Grant applications, 1984-1992

Faculty

Folder

11

Administrative communication, 1964-1993

Folder

12

Educational resources, 1964, 1987-1994

Lesson plans

Hebrew School

Folder

13

1981, nd

Folder

14

1983

Folder

15

1983-1984

Folder

16

1985

Folder

17

Sunday school, 1981-1984

Folder

18

Policy and reports, 1961, 1975, nd

Folder

19

Special education, 1987-1989

Box 31a

Folder

1

Teacher sign in sheets, 1984-1991

Folder

2

“Teaching Tzedakah”, 1983-1987

Hebrew School

Folder

3

1929-1931, 1943-1944, 1961-1967, 1989

Folder

4

Consecration Service, 1957-1972

Enrollment ledger

Box 32

Folder

1

A – L, 1951-1959

Folder

2

M – Z, 1951-1959

Folder

3

Graduation, 1962-1969

Folder

4

Nursery school 1967-1975

Folder

5

Religious school 1952-1958, 1960-1975

Box 32a

Box

32a

Enrollment cards 1958-1965

Box 32b

Box

32b

Enrollment cards 1958, 1965-1967

Box 33

Folder

1

Enrollment cards, 1962-1967, 1986

Folder

2

Sunday School, 1961-1967

Folder

3

Enrollment ledger (A-K), 1951-1959

Folder

4

Enrollment ledger (L-Z), 1951-1959

Subseries
III:

United Synagogue Youth, 1963-1987

Scope and Content Notes:

The United Synagogue Youth sub-series consists of one linear foot. The materials consist of activity fliers, meeting minutes, publications, and conference planning. The materials relate to activities within the congregation's chapter, with other U.S.Y groups in Pittsburgh and the central region, as well as events planned by the national office. The materials include information about activities and conventions, chapter meeting minutes, and publications. >

The Youth sub-series is one quarter of a linear foot and consists of general activity information as well as materials related to external affiliations.

Folder

6

Activities, 1946-1962

Folder

7

Administrative, 1967-1989

Folder

8

Camp Ramah, 1961-1993

Folder

9

Community affiliations, 1982-1988

Folder

10

College of Advanced Jewish Studies, 1962-1990

Folder

11

Holiday activities and schedules, 1966-1967

Series
VI:

Men's Club, 1953-1989, (bulk 1953-1969)

Scope and Content Notes:

The Men's Club series consists of one linear foot and is divided into two main categories: administration and special events. The administration category includes financial statements, correspondence, membership and officer lists. The special events category includes programs, fliers, announcements, and event expenses.

Administration

Box 41

Folder

1

“Best fund-raising program” competition, 1985

Folder

2

Board activities, 1957-1970

Folder

3

Boy Scout Troop, 1960-1966

Folder

4

Correspondence, 1953-1969

Folder

5

Correspondence, 1970-1973

Folder

6

Financial statements, 1956-1984

Folder

7

Functioning of club, 1960-1973

Folder

8

Membership list, 1968, 1986

Folder

9

National Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs, 1962-1986, nd

Folder

10

National Jewish Welfare Board Jewish Center Lecture Board, 1958-1960

Folder

11

Prayers, 1973

Special Events

Folder

12

Announcements and fliers, 1961-1981, nd

Folder

13

Educational, 1960-1989

Folder

14

Event administration, 1954-1985

Folder

15

Excursions and parties (Folder 1 of 3), 1953-1977

Folder

16

Excursions and parties (Folder 2 of 3), 1953-1977

Folder

17

Excursions and parties (Folder 3 of 3), 1953-1977

Folder

18

Installation of Board and officers, 1962-1986

Series
VII:

Sisterhood, 1912-1994 (bulk 1942-1979)

Scope and Content Notes:

The Sisterhood series consists of two and one half linear feet and is divided into four categories: administration, events, board, executive board and membership meetings; and National Women's League of the United Synagogue of America.

The administration category includes financial documents, correspondence, membership and officer lists. Consisting primarily of financial materials, this category contains the materials related to the club's management and financial oversight.

The events category includes invitations, programs and announcements, commemorative anniversary booklets, and curriculum for the Women's Institute of Adult Jewish Studies. The materials primarily consist of event announcements.

The meetings category includes board, executive board and general club meeting minutes; agendas, club by-laws, officer lists and attendance, and reports to the membership and to the congregation. The minutes are of the board and executive board meetings.

The National Women's League category consists of one half linear foot of materials. This category includes clippings, directories, chapter and regional branch minutes, proclamations, and a scrapbook.